Origins of the Bronze Age Oasis Civilization in Central Asia.

• Author: Sinor, Denis

This volume embodies the results of a project undertaken over several years by the author to clarify the origins and the development of what he calls the Bronze Age Bactrian-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC). The term had been coined by V. I. Sarianidi on the discovery of large, fortified building complexes at a site called Togolok. Dr. Hiebert was fortunate enough to be allowed to participate, together with Sarianidi, in field expeditions in Turkmenistan, where he concentrated his efforts on the excavation of the site called Gonur depe, located in the Murgab river delta in an oasis environment.

The BMAC oasis culture flourished around 2000 B.C.; Hiebert distinguishes between two periods, the first lasting from 2200 to 2000 B.C., during which Margiana was colonized simultaneously over a large area. The shift from period 1 to period 2 is marked by the emergence of a new set of symbols found on several objects. This period lasted for about 150 to 200 years, roughly between 2000 and 1750 B.C. I must confess to some doubts as to the possibility of chronological precision on such a small scale.

The detailed table of contents (pp. v-viii) gives the reader an impression of a well-structured presentation of the material remains and of the larger historical context into which they can be fitted. Further reading dashes these early hopes, and compels this reviewer even to question the very title of the book. Frankly, I know no more about the origins of the Bronze Age civilization of Central Asia now than I did before reading this work. The subchapter carrying the title, "Origins of the Central Asian Bronze Age Tradition" (pp. 169-71), remains mute on this subject, and the final conclusion is no more illuminating. It states, inter alia, "that the development of the BMAC was not due to a shift in the settlement, technology, or adaptation and that it is not possible to suggest a role for outside influence." If then BMAC is an "independent culture," with no trace of "outside influence," would it be the product of...